42 



THE SCHOOL GARDEN BOOK 



namely, the Flat-rayed and the Quilled, each of which is sub- 

 divided into two lesser groups. The Flat-rayed Asters in- 

 clude a large proportion of the more important varieties. In 

 these all, or nearly all, of the florets are flat instead of tubu- 

 lar. In one group, these flat flor- 

 ets are curved upward and in- 

 ward, as in the case of the Jewel 

 or Ball-flowered Asters; in the 

 other group the florets are curved 

 downward and outward, as in the 

 beautiful Comet Asters. In the 

 case of the Quilled Asters one 

 type has three outer rows of flor- 

 ets flat and reflexed, while the 

 rest of the florets are tubular. 

 These are the German Quilled 

 Asters already mentioned. In the 

 other group all the florets are 

 tubular, as in the \'ariety called 

 the \'ictoria Needle Aster. 



None of the modern asters 

 surpass the Comet type in charm 

 and distinctive beauty, the re- 

 curved petals of the large, soft, broadly rounded flowers sug- 

 gesting the form of some of the more beautiful sorts of 

 chrysanthemums. There is a great \-ariety of coloring in 

 these Comet flowers, the tones \'arying from pure white to 

 blue and violet and red, and even pale yellow in the solid 

 colors, with a great many intermediate striped sorts. As to 

 size of plant these Comet Asters are divided into two types: 

 the Giant Comets reach a height of two feet, with large 



China Asters. 



